The Fall Classic league finals have been played, and man oh man, things got crazy!
I was feeling pretty confident with my Bruins heading into the matchup with @schwartz and his Blackhawks. Especially after defeating @annatar who is arguably the best online SNES player. But Schwartz is a highly skilled veteran who always gives me trouble. We had split our season series which included a 6-2 Chicago win. On top of that, I saw that he had been playing a few warm up exhibition games against other strong players. So I was not taking this series lightly, at all.
Games 1 to 4 (Chicago goes up 3-1 in the series):
Sure enough, the Hawks came out firing on all cylinders. I quickly found myself trailing in the series 3-1! Schwartz was playing ridiculous. Dangling through the zone, pulling my D out of position and threading cross-crease passes for easy one timers. His manual goalie control was insane. He read all my one-timer attempts with enough time to get over for the save. Things were not looking good. I would have to win 3 straight to win the championship.
Game 5: (Boston fights back to 3-2 in the series):
I knew I had to get really serious if I wanted to win this thing. So back in Boston for game 5, I was somehow able to put together my best game of the series. I was able to take this one by a score of 5-1.
Game 6 (Boston scraaaapes another one out to tie the series at 3-3):
Now with Schwartz up 3-2 in the series, things got extremely intense. Game 6 was an absolute defensive battle. It was 0-0 heading into the 3rd period, when I took three penalties with less than 3 minutes left in the game. I managed to get to OT, still down a man, when Cam Neely was able to break loose and pot the gamewinner. Boston wins 1-0 in OT! Phew!
Game 7 (most insane finish in the history of Classic League):
Series tied 3-3 and I knew I had a good chance to win on home ice with the powerful Bruins. But this game was the complete opposite of game six. Lots of goals! The game was tied 3-3 with 4:23 left in the 3rd. This is when things got crazy. Chicago took over and potted three goals, including an absolute dagger by Joe Murphy to put Chicago up 6-3 with just 1:10 left in the game.
I began to accept my fate. Another loss in the finals, as I've done many times in Classic league and Dynasty league....
But then what happened?
I just said F it. I won the draw and went straight to the net. This was the sequence of events with a minute remaining in game 7:
Wesley scores with 1:00 remaining. 6-4 CHI leads
Oates scores with 0:25 remaining. 6-5 CHI leads
Moog pulled for the extra attacker
Neely scores with 0:15 remaining. 6-6 tie game!
Overtime went back and forth until finally, Neely buried a one-timer for the win. Boston wins 7-6 in OT, and completes the epic comeback in both the series and the game. Wow. I'll post the game winner video later if I remember to open the state and capture the replay.
I have to hand it to Schwartz. He played as well as anyone I've ever seen. He was giving me fits. I probably did not deserve this win. I felt really bad for Schwartz. I've been on the other end of these epic collapses many times. But probably nothing as drastic as this. Luckily, Schwartz is the man - he's got a good head on his shoulders and he's one of the best guys you will meet in this community. So congrats to Schwartz, and thanks for one hell of a series! I hope to see you in NYC bud!